US Reptiles, Amphibians Need Hobbyists’ Help and Federal Protection

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Over 200 species of amphibians have become extinct in the last 30 years, a crisis looms for Asian turtles, and recent studies suggest global declines in snake and lizard populations (please see this article). Conservationists in the USA should feel somewhat optimistic about native species, because the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has prevented the extinctions of 99.9% of the species listed. But the “listing” process leaves much to be desired. Many reptiles and amphibians that are eligible for protection under the ESA languish on waiting lists…for over 30 years in the case of some, such as the Dune Sagebrush Lizard! Shockingly, at least 42 other native species became extinct during that same period!

Uploaded to Wikipedia Commons by Arjuno3

Private reptile and amphibian keepers can also play a role in conservation. Whether through breeding, volunteering or following a career in herpetology, there is much that we can do. Please see the articles linked below (Further Reading) for detailed information.

Can Private Herp Keepers Help?

I recently highlighted the plight of the Austin Blind Salamander and 11 other rare US amphibians that remain unprotected (please see this article). A new report released by the Center for Biological Diversity identifies 10 other native reptiles and amphibians that are in dire straits. From the unstudied Peaks of Otter Salamander to the beloved (but not “beloved enough, apparently!) Eastern Gopher Tortoise, all face imminent extinction if swift action is not taken.

Their future should not be left to professional herpetologists…hobbyists can help by breeding those that are legally in their collections or by working with related species in an effort to understand their needs. You can also help by volunteering in herp conservation projects or, if you are as fortunate as I, by becoming a herpetologist; please see the articles linked below for further information on these topics, and post below if you’d like more information on careers in herpetology.

Eastern Gopher Tortoise

Am I alone in being startled by the fact that this well-known tortoise remains unprotected by the Endangered Species Act? After all, many Floridians go out of their way to help this highly-visible symbol of the Long Leaf Pine ecosystem, and volumes have been written about its ecology and conservation needs.

Uploaded to Wikipedia Commons by R. Tuck

I’ve been involved in several state-sponsored relocation efforts, and had assumed that federal protection was in place. Some 360 species utilize Gopher Tortoise dens to varying degrees. Some, such as the Indigo Snake, Gopher Frog, Burrowing Owl, and Diamondback Rattlesnake, are also threatened. Certain populations of these and others even depend upon tortoise burrows for their survival. The Gopher Tortoise’s western population was listed on the ESA in 1987, but those in the east have not been…odd (or perhaps not?!) given the pace of development in Florida, the heart of their range.

Louisiana Pine Snake

Likely extinct in Texas, this snake just barely holds on in a Louisiana’s fragile Longleaf Pine forests. In addition to inhabiting a threatened ecosystem, the Louisiana Pine Snake relies primarily on a single species – the Pocket Gopher – for food, and shelters within this rodent’s burrows. Researchers estimate that as few as 100 individuals remain in the wild. It is “scheduled” for ESA protection in 2014.

Eastern Hellbender

Despite long experience with a variety of amphibian oddities, my first encounter with an Eastern Hellbender was a shocker. The heaviest of our native amphibians, this 2 foot-long aquatic creature is related to the massive Chinese and Japanese Giant Salamanders.

Uploaded to Wikipedia Commons by Tomfriedel

Pollution and dam construction have greatly reduced its range and numbers. The closely-related Ozark Hellbender was given ESA protection in October of 2011. Other rare but unprotected native amphibians include the Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog and the Boreal Toad.

Dune Sagebrush Lizard

This lizard is found only in the unique Dune-Shinnery Oak Ecosystem of West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico. Within this extremely limited range, home also to at least 14 endemic insect species, it is threatened by oil and gas exploration and cattle ranching. It has long been considered for ESA protection…for the past 30 years, in fact!

The Florida Keys Mole Skink, equally at risk, also lacks ESA protection. Please see this article for further information on lizard conservation.

Western Pond Turtle

Once common along the west coast of the USA and into Baja, Mexico, this attractive turtle has now been largely extirpated from Washington and Oregon, and is in trouble elsewhere. The populations that remain in those states are tiny – perhaps 1% of their former size in many cases.

The Western Pond Turtle faces wetland loss, irrigation projects and a respiratory disease epidemic, and egg studies show concentrations of heavy metals, PCB’s and pesticides. Several states protect the species, but not its habitat.

Please check out my posts on Twitterand Facebook. Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable. I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.

Please also post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly.

Hi,
You possibly (or not yet again) may be surprissed by the fact that there are actually many private European breeders of endangered US reptiles (for any that I can keep track of the founders of the populations were legally imported and held, so are traded). There are many, mainly in Germany, Holand, Belgium, Spain,etc, that breed things like Graptemys flavimaculata, Gopherus and Clemmys. All are expensive and some are very rare. There are amoung caudata keepers, an almost legendary acount of actually hellbenders being bred in Europe long before they were in the states. I remenbar seeing a german book that said something about it… Hellbenders now unfornatly seem pretty doomed in europe, they are extremelly rare and the ones left are highly prized aging individuals in a few zoos and privates.

…but yet again the first ever acount of a chinese giant salamender captive breeding ocurred in a german zoo, the resulting ofspring entered the trade and some are still alive in a few zoos and hardcore sally guys.

Thanks..I’ve noticed the same in Japan as well; some of our natives are protected now, but even before then US hobbyists tended to focus on exotics…hard to understand, given the diversity here…especially among salamanders and FW turtles. Hellbenders not often bre here even in zoos today; interest growing, but they are unavailable in the trade. The other huge, impressive aquatics…amphiuma, mudpuppies, sirens – are only kept by specialist, and rarely seen in zoos..odd! When in Japan, I was thrilled by the attention given the Japanese giant salamander, both in zoos and the wild. Need to visit European zoos and hobbyists…hope to travel more soon.

This was a great post! I am deeply inspired by your blog. I have 1 question to ask, can Green Tree Frogs live With White Dumpy’s tree frogs? Thanks very much for your help! Be sure to check out my blog too!

Thanks for the kind words. A White’s Treefrog would consume a Green Treefrog; Greens may also have skin toxins that could kill the White’s. Mixing frogs from different parts of the world is also inadvisable because parasites and other micro-organisms that are relatively benign in one species could be fatal to another that has not evolved defenses 9similar to when tourists become ill after drinking water in foreign countries). Please let me know if you need further info, You might enjoy: Green treefrog Care (links to articles on other native US species also). Best, frank

About Frank Indiviglio

Being born with a deep interest in animals might seem unfortunate for a native Bronxite , but my family encouraged my interest and the menagerie that sprung from it. Jobs with pet stores and importers had me caring for a fantastic assortment of reptiles and amphibians. After a detour as a lawyer, I was hired as a Bronx Zoo animal keeper and was soon caring for gharials, goliath frogs, king cobras and everything in-between. Research has taken me in pursuit of anacondas, Orinoco crocodiles and other animals in locales ranging from Venezuela’s llanos to Tortuguero’s beaches. Now, after 20+ years with the Bronx Zoo, I am a consultant for several zoos and museums. I have spent time in Japan, and often exchange ideas with zoologists there. I have written books on salamanders, geckos and other “herps”, discussed reptile-keeping on television and presented papers at conferences. A Master’s Degree in biology has led to teaching opportunities. My work puts me in contact with thousands of hobbyists keeping an array of pets. Without fail, I have learned much from them and hope, dear readers, that you will be generous in sharing your thoughts on this blog and web site. For a complete biography of my experience click here.

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